Ch number of sts indicated,
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each of next 2 chs, sc3tog, sc in each of next 2 chs, * 3 sc in next ch, sc in each of next 2 chs, sc3tog, sc in each of next 2 chs. Repeat from * across ending with 2 sc in last st, turn.

Row 2: (work entire row in back loops only) Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each of next 2 sts, sc3tog, sc in each of next 2 sts, * 3 sc next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, sc3tog, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from * across ending with 2 sc in last st, turn.

Next Row: Dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as dc + ch-1 + dc), * ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, repeat from * across to the sts of Row 23, dc in first dc, ** ch 1, dc in next dc, repeat from ** across to end of row, turn.

Repeat Row 5 (7, 9, 9), turn.

Work Row 2 of the Ripple Stitch Pattern for 4.5” (4.5”, 5”, 5.25”) being sure to end on a RS row, turn.

Next 2 (4, 6, 6) Rows: Ch 4 (counts as 1st dc + ch-1), dc in next dc, * ch 1, dc in next dc, repeat from * across working last dc into 3rd ch of tch, turn.

Next Row: Ch 1, sc in each st and ea ch-1 sp across, fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

With RS facing each other whipstitch shoulders & sides. Weave in all ends.

The Crochet Dude® is a registered trademark of Drew Emborsky, all rights reserved. Photo copyright SCG, used with permission. Do no copy or distribute this pattern – but please share the link with all your friends! Click the green Print Friendly button to print or save as a PDF for your own personal use.

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Row 3: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, * bpdc in each of next 4 sts, fpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn.

Row 4: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, fpdc in next st, * bpdc in each of next 4 sts, fpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 5 sts, fpdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn.

Row 5: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, bpdc in each of next 2 sts, * fpdc in each of next 4 sts, bpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 4 sts, bpdc in each of next 2 sts, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn.

Row 6: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, fpdc in each of next 3 sts, * bpdc in each of next 4 sts, fpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 3 sts, fpdc in next st, hdc in last each of last 2 sts, turn.

Row 7: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, * fpdc in each of next 4 sts, bpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across, hdc in last each of last 2 sts

Row 8: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, fpdc in each of next 3 sts, * bpdc in each of next 4 sts, fpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 3 sts, fpdc in next st,, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn

Row 9: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, bpdc in each of next 2 sts, * fpdc in each of next 4 sts, bpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 4 sts, bpdc in each of next 2 sts, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn

Row 10: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, fpdc in next st,, * bpdc in each of next4 sts, fpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 5 sts, fpdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in last each of last 2 sts, turn.
Rows 11-102: repeat Rows 3-10.

Row 103: Ch 1, sc in same st and into each st across, do NOT turn, work 2 more sc in last st to form corner. Working down the side of the panel, work 1 sc in end st of each row, work 3 sc in end of last row to create corner. Working in beg ch, sc in ea st across, 3 sc in last st to create corner. Working up the side of the panel, word 1 sc in end st of ea row across, work 2 more sc in same place as first st, sl st to first st.

Row 2(RS): Ch 2 (counts as first st now and throughout), skip first st, dc in next st and in ea st across, turn. (32 dc)

Rows 3-102: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, bpdc in each of next 4 sts, *fpdc in each of next 4 sts, bpdc in each of next 4 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn

Rows 3-102: Ch 2, skip first st, hdc in next st, bpdc in each of next 4 sts, hdc in each of last 2 sts, turn.

Row 103: Work same as Row 103 on Panel 1

Fasten off

ASSEMBLY

Lay panels face up, side by side, in this order: 3 1 2 1 2 1 3

With tapestry needles whipstitch sides of panels together.

EDGING

Rnd 1: With RS facing, with Color D, join with a sl st to any corner of afghan, ch 1, 3 sc in same st to form corner, sc in back loops evenly around entire afghan working 3 sc in ea corner, sl st to first st. Fasten off.

Rnd 2: With Color A, join with a sl st to any corner st of afghan, ch 3, work 4 more dc in same corner st, dc in each st, evenly, around entire afghan working 5 dc in ea corner st, sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, bpdc in same st and in ea st around afghan, sl st to first bpdc of rnd, fasten off.

Rnd 4: With Color D, repeat Rnd 1.

Rnds 5-6: With Color B repeat Rnds 2-3.

Rnd 7: With Color D, repeat Rnd 1.

Rnds 8-9: With Color C, repeat Rnds 2-3.

Rnd 10: With Color D, join with a sl st to back loop of any st, ch 1, sc in same st, * ch 1, sc in front loop of st just made, inserting hook through top of st, ch 1, sk 1 st, sc in back loop of next st, repeat from * around, sl st to first st of rnd. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends

The Crochet Dude® is a registered trademark of Drew Emborsky, all rights reserved. Photo copyright SCG, used with permission. Do no copy or distribute this pattern – but please share the link with all your friends! Click the green Print Friendly button to print or save as a PDF for your own personal use.

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When I heard that Lorna was dying yarn once again I about freaked my freak – she is the MASTER at creating amazing color combinations that look great in both knit AND crochet and I LOVE that as she resurrected her art of dying yarn she called it “Zombie Yarns”! Details on how you can win some Zombie Yarns of your own below.

Danai

I knew that this fingering weight machine washable wool would make an amazing spring shawl so I set to work right away to design this one.

It’s a fun shawl to work up – it’s easy to memorize and goes quite quickly!! To see more pics of the shawl from different angles and to get the FREE pattern click here (but be sure to come back and enter to the giveaway to win the yarn to make yours!): Danai

Giveaway

Open to mailing addresses in the USA and Canada, void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Winners will be selected via random number generator.

Enter now to win two hanks of Zombie Yarns Roamer in the color shown here (enough to make the shawl Danai).

Use the form below to enter. After entering with your email which is mandatory, there are options for additional bonus entries too! Some of them you can enter every day! Try using a computer if your mobile device is giving you troubles.

You can rest assured that entering your email address for this prize drawing is safe. I won’t use your email for anything except to notify the winners. You won’t be signed up for my newsletter or anything else. The only way you can sign up for my newsletter is by actually signing up for my newsletter and then confirming your subscription through email. Click here to sign up for my newsletter! Giveaway ends April 25, 2017 at midnight.

Row 1: Ch 4, work 4 more dc around same st as joining, working down side edge of shawl, work 10 dc in ea ch space at the end of each Row 3. When you reach the point of the shawl work 10 dc in each of the two ch spaces created with the final row of the shawl. Continuing up the other edge, work 10 dc around the last dc of each Row 3. When you reach the end of that edge work 5 dc in last sc of Row 1, turn
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in front loop of first st, *Ch 2, sc in front loop of next st, rep from * across, turn
Row 3: Ch 2, sc in first ch 2 sp, *Ch 3, sc in next ch-2 sp, rep from * around, fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

The Crochet Dude® is a registered trademark of Drew Emborsky, all rights reserved. Do no copy or distribute this pattern – but please share the link with all your friends! Click the green Print Friendly button to print or save as a PDF for your own personal use.

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The nice folks at Running Press sent me a copy of this AMAZING new book to review. And they also sent me TWO copies to giveaway! Details on entering the giveaway are below.

Free Serene Pattern: Ming Tree

This is probably my all-time fave project that I’ve designed that definitely helped me feel centered and serene:

I just loved the simplicity of the skirt pattern, then taking the time to watch the blossoming cherry tree branches come to life as I surface crocheted them with ribbon and beaded silk yarn.

Get the free pattern here, but be sure to come back and enter the giveaway! Click: Ming Tree

Sereknity: Peaceful Projects to Soothe and Inspire

To start with the book itself is so beautiful. The pages are NOT bright white but a soothing taupe color. And along with gorgeous photography there are sweet illustrations too.

The projects are not complicated sweater patterns, but joyful, meditative fingerless gloves, granny squares, cowls, and dishcloths (for example) that encourage us to detach from the stress and anxiety of daily life.

Who doesn’t long for that, right?!

Peppered throughout with inspirational, intention-setting prompts and focused around three key themes – color – texture – structure – it really encourages the fiber artist to be fully present in the moment.

Here are a few of my fave projects in the book:

So beautiful!! And I can’t tell you how happy I am to see BOTH crochet and knit included in one book. I just think they go so well together and Nikki proves it with this book! Here are some technical deets:

Use this form below to enter. After entering with your email which is mandatory, there are options for additional bonus entries too! Some of them you can enter every day! Try using a computer if your mobile device is giving you troubles.

You can rest assured that entering your email address for this prize drawing is safe. I won’t use your email for anything except to notify the winners. You won’t be signed up for my newsletter or anything else. The only way you can sign up for my newsletter is by actually signing up for my newsletter and then confirming your subscription through email. Click here to sign up for my newsletter! Giveaway ends April 18, 2017 at midnight.

What fun it was to search around the Internet Machine and find a selection of amazing items that would be PERFECT gifts for moms of all ages! I hope you find something for your special mom too! Just click on the name of each gift idea to discover more info!

Disclaimer: although a few of the links below are affiliate links, I received no compensation for recommending these products. I just think they’re super-cool.

I love this pattern holder from Chicken Boots! You insert the pattern, and move the magnetic line marker up and down so you always know exactly what line to read. You get to chose the fabric it’s made out of, and you can even write notes on the vinyl window!

The folks over at Buffalo Wool Co. are some of my fave in the entire industry. And it’s such a pleasure to recommend this kit! If she hasn’t used bison or a bison blend then Mom is in for a real treat! It’s amazing!!

This little book contains fill-in-the-blank lines to describe why your mom’s the best. Just complete each line and voila: you have a uniquely personal gift Mother will read again and again. Make it as hilarious, honest, or heartfelt as you choose!

Ever wonder what is buried in those project bags at the bottom of drawers and in the backs of closets? Opening those hidden WIPs can be exciting or terrifying. Here’s a solution for that! Store your projects in a bag with a vinyl panel in it!!

Invented by craft industry veterans and HGTV’s Creative Juice hosts, Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza. After years of burns, they developed the tools to ease you woes and make working with hot glue easier. This is a 7-piece set your mom will L-O-V-E!

Sure we all know we can make anything we need to, but if you do want to buy mom an already finished HAND-MADE in the USA item then look no further than Michele at 144 Stitches. She does amazing work and has a TON of items ready to be shipped!

You know Kristin from her amazing knit and crochet designs, as well as her luscious line of yarns and fabrics! But did you know that you can get products that feature her artwork on them!! So many to choose from, you’ll be able to find the perfect gift for mom (and maybe even yourself)!

An exciting and in-depth follow up to One Zentangle A Day, Beckah Krahula guides you along with her sure-footed instruction and beautiful examples as she shows you how to take tangle drawing to the next level. And you’ll discover that I have a project or two included in the book!

Mom will look amazing in this beaded scarf, and Kristin has the kit right on her website! Whether you make the scarf yourself, or you give the kit as the gift, this will solidify your standing as your mom’s favorite kid!

The Crochet Dude® is a registered trademark of Drew Emborsky, all rights reserved. Please share the link to this Mother’s Day gift guide with all your friends! Discounts, offers, and availability were valid at the time this guide was published – I am not responsible for any changes to these offers on other sites since then.

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I met Lianka few years ago and she told me all about this stitch technique that she called the Crocodile Stitch. And since I’m insane in the membrane for texture I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was so happy that she was bringing this technique to the mainstream, and as you know, the Crocodile Stitch has really taken crochet by storm!! I’m so pleased to feature six of my fave designs by Lianka! Just click on the name to get the pattern.

PS: all these were free patterns at the time this roundup was compiled. Please forgive me if the designer has decided to change that status or even remove the pattern from her site.

When I was designing this pattern set that I call Jessica the very first yarn that I thought would be PERFECT for it was Be So Brave by Kristin Omdahl. And you can enter to win enough yarn to make this set for yourself – details below.

Be So Brave is 100% American merino wool, made in the USA, dyed in the USA, and I love that! It’s soft and squishy and the colors are amazing!

Oh did I tell you that the lucky winner is going to be able to choose their own colors? And I’m going to send you enough faux fur so that you can make one of those AWESOME furry pompoms.

Jessica

As many of you know I am a HUGE fan of texture, and a great way to get texture is to work with post stitches. The cowl and brim look like complicated color-work but they are really just easy stripes of post stitches!

Once you get the pattern be sure to come back to enter the giveaway below!

Giveaway

Open to mailing addresses in the USA and Canada, void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Winners will be selected via random number generator.

Enter now to win enough Be So Brave yarn to make the Jessica hat and cowl set.

Use this form below to enter. After entering with your email which is mandatory, there are options for additional bonus entries too! Some of them you can enter every day! Try using a computer if your mobile device is giving you troubles.

You can rest assured that entering your email address for this prize drawing is safe. I won’t use your email for anything except to notify the winners. You won’t be signed up for my newsletter or anything else. The only way you can sign up for my newsletter is by actually signing up for my newsletter and then confirming your subscription through email. Click here to sign up for my newsletter!Giveaway ends April 11, 2017 at midnight.

My very first demo segment that I ever appeared on was on Vickie’s amazing show “Knitty Gritty” on HGTV (and it included a very cute dog – no surprise,eh). Since then I’ve been fortunate to call Vickie my friend, and I’m so stoked that she is about to launch a new online only show (yay, fiber-binge watching) with a production company in Austin, TX!

But she needs our help!

After watching the video above you’ll quickly see that Vickie’s experience, knowledge, and vision is exactly what those of us that play with yarn need and want!

Boogie on over to Kickstarter and pledge what you can. Vickie and her crew have some pretty fun incentives for different levels of pledges!

And yes, even tho it is going to be called The Knit Show, Vickie assures me that there will be PLENTY of crochet content as well!! Yay!!!